Latvia


853 First written records of a state (Regnum Cori) in
present-day Latvia. The Couronian states are
later followed by states of other Latvian
peoples, the Semigallians, Selonians and
Lettgallians, and a Finnic people the
Livonians (Livs).
1201 Seat of Bishopric of Livonia (est. in 1186)
moved from Üxküll (Ikskile) to the newly
founded city of Riga. Gradual conquest of the
peoples of modern Latvia begins; completed 1290
1207 Bishop of Riga takes the style of Prince of
Livonia (Fürst von Livland) and makes Livonia
part of the Holy Roman Empire (formally 1 Dec
1225). Part of bishop's territories given as
a fief to his standing army, the Swordbrothers
Order (Schwertbrüderorden, formally Fratres
Militiae Christi, established in c.1204).
12 May 1237 Swordbrothers Order is incorporated into the
Teutonic Order as a separate branch or
province, informally known as the Livonian Order
(Livländischer Orden) and administered by the
Land-Master of the Teutonic Order in Livonia
(Landmeister des Deutschen Ordens Livland).
1253 Archbishop of Livonia, Prussia and Estonia,
previously having no separate diocese, becomes
also the Bishop of Riga. Both offices formally
merged 20 Jan 1255.
1282 City of Riga becomes a member of the Hanseatic
League. Later joined by 7 other cities: Wenden
(Cesis), Lemsal (Limbazi), Kokenhusen
(Koknese), Wolmar (Valmiera), Goldingen
(Kuldiga), Windau (Ventspils) and Roop (Straupe).
7 May 1366 Nominal suzerainty of Archbishop of Riga
over the possessions of the Livonian Order is
formally abolished.
1413 Livonian knights are entitled to elect their
Land-Master. The Livonian Order becomes fully
autonomous.
1420 Livonian Confederation (Livländischer Bund)
established, includes the Archbishop of Riga,
bishops of Dorpat, Courland, Ösel-Wiek and
Reval, their chapters (Domkapitel), Land-Master
of Livonian Order, vassals of bishops and the
Order and cities of Riga, Dorpat (Tartu) and
Reval (Tallinn). Possessions of all these
rulers were known in common as Livonia during
13th-16th centuries.
24 Dec 1526 Land-Master of Livonian Order granted, by the
Emperor, the style of Prince of Livonia
(formally from in 1530; from this moment on the
Land-Master, the archbishop of Riga, and the
King of Poland share this style). Style not
used by the Land-Master before 1557.
28 Nov 1561 The Land-Master Gotthard Kettler becomes a
Protestant, a massive reorganization takes
place. The treaty of subjugation between
the Land-Master, Archbishop of Riga and Grand
Prince of Lithuania comes into effect and
establishes two secular Protestant countries:
Duchy of Courland as a hereditary fief of
Lithuania given to the last Land-Master and
Principality (later Duchy) of Livonia in
personal (actually subordinate) union with
Lithuania (effective 5 Mar 1562).
26 Feb 1621 Sweden occupies Livonia, and annexes it de jure
3 May 1660.
26 Sep 1621 City of Riga surrenders to the Swedish forces.
26 Sep 1629 Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth provisionally
cedes the city of Riga and western part of
Duchy of Livonia, (Livonia proper and southern
part of modern Estonia), to Sweden (extended
in 12 Sep 1635 and confirmed in 3 May 1660).
The Commonwealth retains eastern part of Duchy
of Livonia (Lettgallia).
Aug 1701 - Sep 1709 Courland and Semigallia occupied by Sweden and
Russia
15 Jul 1710 City of Riga surrenders to the Russian forces,
Russian occupation of Swedish Livonia completed
10 Sep 1721 Swedish Livonia formally ceded by Sweden
to Russia under the Treaty of Nystad.
30 Sep 1773 In the Second Partition of Poland-Lithuania,
26 Apr 1795 Courland and Semigallia annexed by Russia in the
Third Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian
Commonwealth.
20 Jul 1812 - 20 Dec 1812 Province of Courland under the French occupation.
1889 Full integration of Livonia and Courland into the
Russian Empire.
May 1915 - Oct 1915 Courland gradually occupied by Germany.
5 Jul 1917 Autonomy granted to the provinces of Livonia and
Courland by Russia
3 Sep 1917 Germans occupy the city of Riga.
9 Nov 1917 - 20 Nov 1917 Bolshevik troops gradually take over the province
of Livonia (in 21 Nov 1917 military
administration of Livonia replaced by the
United Latvian Workers, Soldiers and Landless
Peasants' Soviet, located in Valka).
29 Dec 1917 Autonomous Latvian Soviet government within the
Russian Soviet Republic declared.
30 Jan 1918 Latvian Provisional National Council established
in 30 Nov 1917 by the representatives of the
Land Councils of Livonia, Courland and
Lettgallia, declares (underground) that
Latvia "shall be an independent republic."
18 Feb 1918 - 22 Feb 1918 Livonia and Lettgallia gradually occupied by
Germany.
3 Mar 1918 In the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (Brzecz-Litewski)
Courland, the city of Riga, and its
surroundings are "no longer subject to Russia."
8 Mar 1918 Land Council of Courland (Landesrat von Kurland),
set up by the local German elite in Jelgava
(Mitau), proclaims the Duchy of Courland, and
resolves to make it in personal union with
Prussia (15 Mar 1918 independence recognized by
Germany).
12 Apr 1918 The Joint Council of Livonia, Estonia, Riga, and
Ösel (Vereinigter Landesrat von Livland,
Estland, Riga und Ösel), set up by set up by
the local German elite, proclaims the
independent Baltic State (Baltischer Staat),
also and resolves to make it into a Duchy in
personal union with the kingdom of Prussia. The
German Emperor, Wilhelm II, expresses his
gratitude to the delegation offering him
the ducal title and defers his answer (which
never comes); (from 8 Nov 1918, state also
includes Courland).
1 Aug 1918 German administrations for the Administrative
Regions of Livonia, Estonia, Courland, Ösel and
Riga united into a central Military
Administration of the Baltic Lands in Riga.
27 Aug 1918 Treaty of Berlin the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is
amended, Russia relinquishes rights over the
rest of Livonia and Krustpils (Kreuzburg), but
(nominally) retains Lettgallia.
22 Sep 1918 Independence of the Baltic State is recognized by
Germany.
8 Nov 1918 A regency council for the Baltic State is set up
by United Land Council of Livonia, Estonia,
Riga, and Ösel, and the Land Council of
Courland, incorporating the Duchy of Courland
into the Baltic State, which is declared to be
a federal state, consisting of 7 cantons:
Estonia, Courland, Lettgallia, North Livonia,
Ösel, Riga and South Livonia (institutions of
the Baltic State function [from 17 Nov 1918 in
opposition] until their dissolution in 28 Nov
1918).
11 Nov 1918 Germany signs an Armistice at Compiegne, France,
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is declared void.
The German military administration of the
Baltic Lands functions until 26 Nov 1918.
Principal Allied and Associated Powers
recognize the Latvian National Council as the
de facto government of Latvia.
18 Nov 1918 Independence (Latvia) declared by the
Latvian People's Council, formed in 17 Nov 1918
25 Nov 1918 Germany recognizes de facto independence of
Latvia
25 Nov 1918 - 26 Nov 1919 German and Allied military administrations in
Liepaja (Libau), Riga and Jelgava (Mitau)
(see below).
17 Dec 1918 Latvian Conciliar (["Soviet"] from 15 Jan 1919
Socialist Soviet) Republic proclaimed (in
opposition to the Republic of Latvia);
recognized by Soviet Russia on 22 Dec 1918.
3 Jan 1919 - 22 May 1919 Soviet troops occupy Riga.
22 May 1919 Soviet troops lose Riga, Latvian Socialist Soviet
Republic reduced to the eastern part of Latvia
(Russian occupied Lettgallia).
13 Jan 1920 Latvian Socialist Soviet Republic dissolved,
Soviet Russian troops leave on 1 Feb 1920.
11 Aug 1920 Latvian independence recognized by Russia
(effective 4 Oct 1920).
26 Jan 1921 Independence de jure recognized by the Principal
Allied and Associated Powers.
7 Nov 1922 Republic of Latvia.
17 Jun 1940 Occupied by the Soviet Union.
21 Jul 1940 Renamed Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic.
5 Aug 1940 Incorporation into Soviet Union (the move is not
internationally recognized).
23 Jun 1941 - 9 Jul 1941 Gradually occupied by Germany (Riga from 1 Jul
1941).
28 Jun 1941 Independence of the Republic of Latvia declared,
the government functions in the liberated areas
and in the German rear until 7 Jul 1941.
1 Sep 1941 Latvia is made a General District (Generalbezirk
Lettland), informally Land, within the
Reichskommissariat of Ostland. The city of Riga
(Gebiet Riga Stadt) is directly administered by
the Reichskommissar for Ostland.
17 Jul 1944 - Nov 1944 Gradually re-occupied by Soviets, except the
Courland peninsula, (in Riga from 13 Oct 1944).
19 Mar 1945 Autonomous state (Latvia) declared under the
German protectorate.
7 May 1945 Independence of the Republic of Latvia declared,
the government functions in Liepaja to 8 May
1945.
8 May 1945 German troops in the Courland pocket surrender.
28 Jul 1989 Declaration of state sovereignty.
4 May 1990 Republic of Latvia
21 Aug 1991 Independence declared.
6 Sep 1991 Independence recognized by Soviet Union.
Note: Present-day Latvia originates in the combination of the following entities (Latvian, German and Russian names in parentheses): Livonia (Vidzeme/Livland/Liflyandiya), Lettgallia (Latgale/Lettgallen/Latgaliya), Courland (Kurzeme/Kurland/Kurlyandiya), and Semigallia (Zemgale/Semgallen/Zemgaliya). The name Livland/Livonia refers to the Livs, a people closely related to the Ests; this name is often (early and late) used for the whole "Baltic provinces," covering present-day Latvia and Estonia. During much of the country's history, from c.1209 until 1918, the dominant elite, under all regimes, consisted of German merchants and landholders, who provide much of the administration; Riga was a Hanseatic city.

Chairmen of the Executive Committee of the United Latvian Workers,
Soldiers and Landless Peasants' Soviet
21 Nov 1917 - 22 Nov 1917 Otto Karklins                                          LSD-L
22 Nov 1917 - 22 Feb 1918 Fricis Rozins                     (b. 1870 - d. 1919) LSD-L
Chairman of the Latvian (Provisional to 23 Oct 1918) National Council
30 Nov 1917 - 17 Nov 1918 Voldemars Zamuels                 (b. 1872 - d. 1948) Non-party
                            (to 11 Nov 1918 underground)
Chairman of the Joint Council of Livonia, Estonia, Riga, and Ösel
12 Apr 1918 - 8 Nov 1918 Adolph Konstantin Jakob Baron     (b. 1851 - d. 1925)
                             Pilar von Pilchau
Reichskommissare for the Baltic Sea Region
1 Aug 1918 - 8 Nov 1918 Friedrich Karl Alexander Cäsar    (b. 1869 - d. 1946)
                             Freiherr von Falkenhausen
8 Nov 1918 - 14 Nov 1918 August Winnig                     (b. 1878 - d. 1956)
Head of the Military Administration of the Baltic Lands
1 Aug 1918 - 4 Dec 1918 Alfred Freiherr von Gossler       (b. 1867 - d. 1946)
Baltic Duke
8 Nov 1918 - 28 Nov 1918 Adolf Friedrich Albrecht Heinrich
                             Herzog von Mecklenburg-Schwerin (b. 1873 - d. 1969)
                           (nominated, never assumes office)
8 Nov 1918 - 28 Nov 1918 Adolph Konstantin Jakob Baron     (s.a.)
                             Pilar von Pilchau -Regent
                           (president of the Baltic Council of Regency)
Chairman of the Baltic Land Executive Committee
8 Nov 1918 - 28 Nov 1918 Eduard Julius Alexander Freiherr (b. 1863 - d. 1939)
                             von Dellingshausen
Deputy Chairmen of the Latvian People's Council17 Nov 1918 - 18 Nov 1922 Gustavs Zemgals (1st deputy)    (b. 1871 - d. 1939)    +Margers Skujenieks (2nd deputy) (b. 1886 - d. 1941)
Presidents
18 Nov 1918 - 3 Nov 1925 Janis Cakste            (b. 1859 - d. 1927) LZS:1922 DC
                            (chairman Latvian People's Council to 1 May 1920, then                              president of Constitutional Assembly to 18 Nov 1922)
24 Jan 1919 - 22 May 1919 Peteris Stucka                    (b. 1865 - d. 1932) LKP
                            (acting chairman of the central executive committee,
                             of the Latvian SSR in opposition 6 Mar 1919 -
                             6 Mar 1919 - 13 Jan 1920, also chairman of
                             the Central Commitee of the Latvian Communist
                             Party; continues in Lettgallia to 13 Jan 1920) 3 Nov 1925 - 10 Nov 1925 Pauls Kalnins (1st time)(acting) (b. 1872 - d. 1945) LSDSP
10 Nov 1925 - 14 Mar 1927 Janis Cakste (3rd time)         (s.a.)               DC
14 Mar 1927 - 8 Apr 1927 Pauls Kalnins (2nd time)(acting) (s.a.)               LSDSP
8 Apr 1927 - 8 Apr 1930 Gustavs Zemgals                   (s.a.) DC
8 Apr 1930 - 11 Apr 1930 Pauls Kalnins (3rd time)(acting) (s.a.)               LSDSP
11 Apr 1930 - 11 Apr 1936 Alberts Kviesis                   (b. 1881 - d. 1944) LZS;1934 None
11 Apr 1936 - 21 Jul 1940 Karlis Ulmanis                    (b. 1877 - d. 1942) Non-party
                            (from 1934, self-styled Vadonis [Leader])
21 Jul 1940 - 25 Aug 1940 Augusts Kirhensteins (acting)     (b. 1872 - d. 1963) LDTB                            (not recognized internationally or                              by Latvian diplomats abroad) Chairman of the Latvian Organization Central Committee28 Jun 1941 - 7 Jul 1941 Ernests Kreismanis                (b. 1890 - d. 1965) Mil
Commanders-in-chief of the Army Group Nord
1 Jul 1941 - 4 Jul 1941 Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb           (b. 1876 - d. 1956)
Commander of the Army Region Nord
5 Jul 1941 - 31 Aug 1941 Franz von Roques                  (b. 1877 - d. 1967)
Generalkommissare Lettland
1 Sep 1941 - 12 Aug 1944 Otto Heinrich Drechsler           (b. 1895 - d. 1945) NSDAP
12 Aug 1944 - 2 Feb 1945 Oscar von Borcke (acting) (b. 1910 - d. ....) NSDAP
Commanders of the Army Group Kurland
15 Jan 1945 - 27 Jan 1945 Lothar Rendulic (1st time)        (b. 1887 - d. 1971)
27 Jan 1945 - 10 Mar 1945 Heinrich Gottfried Freiherr von
                             Vietinghoff gen. Scheel         (b. 1887 - d. 1952)
10 Mar 1945 - 25 Mar 1945 Lothar Rendulic (2nd time)        (s.a.)
25 Mar 1945 - 8 May 1945 Carl Hilpert                      (b. 1888 - d. 1948)
Plenipotentiary of the Reich
2 Feb 1945 - 8 May 1945 Hermann Heinrich Behrend          (b. 1898 - d. 1987)
Chairman of the Latvian National Council
20 Feb 1945 - 7 May 1945 Oskars Dankers                    (b. 1883 - d. 1965) Mil
Chairman of the Latvian People's Council
7 May 1945 - 8 May 1945 Janis Andersons                   (b. 1902 - d. 1969) Non-party
Presidents
3 May 1990 - 8 Jul 1993 Anatolijs Gorbunovs               (b. 1942)            Non-party/LC
                            (chairman Supreme Council to 6 Jul 1993 [this office is
                             declared to be that of the head of state 15 Sep 1992],
                             then acting president)
8 Jul 1993 - 8 Jul 1999 Guntis Ulmanis                    (b. 1939)            LZS
8 Jul 1999 - 8 Jul 2007 Vaira Vike-Freiberga (f)          (b. 1937)            Non-party
8 Jul 2007 - 8 Jul 2011 Valdis Zatlers (b. 1955)    Non-party 8 Jul 2011 - Andris Berzins    (b. 1944) ZZS

Prime ministers
17 Nov 1918 - 16 Apr 1919 Karlis Ulmanis (1st time)         (s.a.)               LZS
                            (continues in opposition in northern
                             Livonia to 3 Jul 1919)
17 Dec 1918 - 22 May 1919 Peteris Stucka                    (s.a.)               LKP
                            (chairman of the [Provisional to 15 Jan 1919]
                             Soviet Government of the Latvian SSR; in opposition,
                             continues in Lettgallia to 13 Jan 1920)
16 Apr 1919 - 26 Apr 1919 Hans Joachim Paul Adolph Baron    (b. 1894 - d. 1919) Mil
                             von Manteuffel gen. Szoege
                            (chairman of the Security Committee
                             of the Local Front Troops)
26 Apr 1919 - 11 May 1919 Oskars Borkovskis (acting)        (b. 1872 - d. 1945) Non-party
11 May 1919 - 29 Jun 1919 Andrievs Niedra                   (b. 1871 - d. 1942) LZP
29 Jun 1919 - 3 Jul 1919 von Timroth (acting)                                   Mil
                            (commander-in-chief of "Latvian Army")
3 Jul 1919 - 17 Jun 1921 Karlis Ulmanis (2nd time)         (s.a.)               LZS
17 Jun 1921 - 25 Jan 1923 Zigfrids Meierovics (1st time)    (b. 1887 - d. 1925) LZS
25 Jan 1923 - 26 Jun 1923 Janis Pauluks                     (b. 1865 - d. 1937) LZS
26 Jun 1923 - 25 Jan 1924 Zigfrids Meierovics (2nd time)    (s.a.)               LZS
25 Jan 1924 - 16 Dec 1924 Voldemars Zamuels (1st time)      (b. 1872 - d. 1948) DC
16 Dec 1924 - 23 Dec 1925 Hugo Celmins (1st time)           (b. 1877 - d. 1941) LZS
23 Dec 1925 - 4 May 1926 Karlis Ulmanis (3rd time)         (s.a.)               LZS
4 May 1926 - 17 Dec 1926 Artur Alberings                   (b. 1876 - d. 1934) LZS
17 Dec 1926 - 21 Jan 1928 Margers Skujenieks (1st time)     (s.a.) ALSMSP-LS
21 Jan 1928 - 1 Dec 1928 Peteris Jurasevskis               (b. 1872 - d. 1945) DC
1 Dec 1928 - 24 Mar 1931 Hugo Celmins (2nd time)           (s.a.)               LZS
24 Mar 1931 - 5 Dec 1931 Karlis Ulmanis (4th time)         (s.a.)               LZS
5 Dec 1931 - 23 Mar 1933 Margers Skujenieks (2nd time)     (s.a.)               PA
23 Mar 1933 - 17 Mar 1934 Adolfs Blodnieks                  (b. 1889 - d. 1962) JSP
17 Mar 1934 - 19 Jun 1940 Karlis Ulmanis (5th time)         (s.a.)         LZS;1934 Non-party
20 Jun 1940 - 25 Aug 1940 Augusts Kirhensteins              (s.a.)               LDTB
                            (not recognized internationally or
                             by Latvian diplomats abroad)
1 Jul 1941 - 7 Jul 1941 Bernhards Einbergs (acting)       (b. 1893 - d. 1945) Non-party
First Directors-General of the Land Self-Government
7 Jul 1941 - 1 Sep 1941 Alfreds Valdmanis                 (b. 1908 - d. 1978) Non-party
                            (not recognized officially)
1 Sep 1941 - 20 Feb 1945 Oskars Dankers                    (s.a.)               Mil
                            (not recognized officially to 18 Mar 1942,
                             acting to 16 Mar 1944, suspended from 27 Sep 1944)
President of the Latvian National Committee
20 Feb 1945 - 3 May 1945 Rudolfs Bangerskis                (b. 1878 - d. 1958) Mil
Prime ministers
3 May 1945 - 8 May 1945 Roberts Osis (provisional)        (b. 1900 - d. 1973) Mil
7 May 1990 - 3 Aug 1993 Ivars Godmanis (1st time)         (b. 1951)            LTF
                            (chairman of the Council of Ministers to 6 Jul 1993)
3 Aug 1993 - 19 Sep 1994 Valdis Birkavs                    (b. 1942)            LC
19 Sep 1994 - 21 Dec 1995 Maris Gailis                      (b. 1951)            LC
21 Dec 1995 - 7 Aug 1997 Andris Skele (1st time)           (b. 1958)            Non-party
7 Aug 1997 - 26 Nov 1998 Guntars Krasts                    (b. 1957)            TB-LNNK
26 Nov 1998 - 16 Jul 1999 Vilis Kristopans                  (b. 1954)            LC
16 Jul 1999 - 5 May 2000 Andris Skele (2nd time)           (s.a.)               TP
5 May 2000 - 7 Nov 2002 Andris Berzins                    (b. 1951)            LC
7 Nov 2002 - 9 Mar 2004 Einars Repse                      (b. 1961)            JL
9 Mar 2004 - 2 Dec 2004 Indulis Emsis                     (b. 1952)            LZP/ZZS
2 Dec 2004 - 20 Dec 2007 Aigars Kalvitis                   (b. 1966)            TP
20 Dec 2007 - 12 Mar 2009 Ivars Godmanis (2nd time)         (s.a.) LC 12 Mar 2009 -    Valdis Dombrovskis (b. 1971) JL

Republic of Latvia in Exile

[Latvian flag]

Acting Presidents
17 Jun 1940 - 8 Sep 1944 Vacant
8 Sep 1944 - 27 Aug 1945 Pauls Kalnins (4th time)          (s.a.)               LSDSP
                           (underground to Oct 1944)
27 Aug 1945 - 2 Dec 1969 Bishop Jazeps Rancans             (b. 1886 - d. 1969) LKZKP
2 Dec 1969 - 21 Aug 1991 Vacant

Heads of the Diplomatic Service
17 Jun 1940 - 29 Apr 1963 Karlis Zarins (in London)         (b. 1879 - d. 1963) Non-party
29 Apr 1963 - 1 Oct 1970 Arnolds Spekke                    (b. 1887 - d. 1972) Non-party
                           (in Washington, DC)
1 Oct 1970 - 21 Aug 1991 Anatols Dinbergs                  (b. 1911 - d. 1993) Non-party
                            (in Washington, DC)

Resistance to German and Soviet occupation 1943-1946

Note: Anti-German (and also anti-Soviet) resistance groups united in 1943 to form Latvian Central Council, which organized military activities in late 1944. The anti-Soviet partisan movement in Latvia, mostly without overall leadership, continued into 1949 when their
activities were suppressed by Soviet troops.

Chairmen of the Latvian Central Council
13 Aug 1943 - 29 Apr 1944 Konstantins Cakste                (b. 1901 - d. 1945) DC
29 Apr 1944 - 12 Jul 1944 Bruno Kalnins (acting)            (b. 1899 - d. 1990) LSDSP
Jul 1944 - 1946            Verners Tepfers                   (b. 1893 - d. 1958) DC
                            (from 1 Nov 1944 in Stockholm, Sweden exile)

Chairman of the Presidium of the Latvian Fatherland Guards (Partisans) Alliance
24 Aug 1945 - 10 Jan 1946 Antons Juhnevics (b. 1905 - d. 1947)


Livonian People's Flag Adopted 1923

Territorial Disputes: Russia refuses to sign the 1997 boundary treaty due to Latvian insistence on a unilateral clarificatory declaration referencing Soviet occupation of Latvia and territorial losses; Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; as of Jan 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documentation in preparation; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Latvia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules with Russia.

Party abbreviations: JL = Partija Jaunais Laiks (New Era Party, reformist, center-right, 2002-); LC = Savieniba Latvijas Cels (Union Latvia's Way, liberal, 1993-); TB-LNNK = Apvieniba Tevzemei un Brivibai-Latvijas Nacionalas Neatkaribas Kustiba (Union For Fatherland and Freedom - Latvian National Independence Movement, national-conservative, 1997-); TP = Tautas Partija (People's Party, conservative reformist, 1998-); LSDSP = Latvijas Socialdemokratiska Stradnieku Partija (Latvian Social-Democratic Workers' Party, social-democratic, 1989-);LZP = Latvijas Zaja Partija (Latvian Green Party); LZS = Latvijas Zemnieku savieniba (Latvian Farmers' Union, agrarian/coservative, 1917-1940, re-est.1990); ZZS = Zalo un Zemnieku savieniba (Greens and Farmers Union, union LZS & LZP, green/centerist, est.2002); Mil = Military; - Former parties:ALSMSP-LS = Apvienota Latvijas Socialdemokratu Mazinieku Stradnieku Partija -Laukstradnieku Savieniba (United Latvian Social-Democratic Menshevik Workers' Party - Agricultural Workers' Union, 1922-1931); BNA = Baltischer Nationalausschuss (Baltic National Comittee, Baltic German parties umbrella organization, 1918-1919); Bund = Jewish Workers’ Union in Lithuania, Poland and Russia "Bund" (Jewish social-democratic, 1897-19..); DC = Partija Demokratiskais Centrs (Party Democratic Center, liberal, 1922-1934);JSP = Jaunzemnieku un Sikgruntnieku Partija (New Farmers and Small Landowners' Party, 1924-1934); LDTB = Latvijas Darba Tautas Bloks (Latvian Working People's Bloc, communist front bloc, in 1940); LKP = Latvijas Komunistiska Partija (Latvian Communist Party, 1919-1991, branch of All- Russia/All-Union Communist Party 1919-1920 and 1940-1991, only legal party 1919-1920 and 1940-1989; 1940-1952 named Latvijas Komunistiska Bolseviku Partija [Latvian Communist Bolshevik Party]); LKZKP = Latvijas Kristigo Zemnieku un Katolu Partija (Latvian Christian Farmers and Catholics' Party, christian-democratic, 1920-1934); LSD-M/L = Latvijas Socialdemokratija - Mazinieki/Lielinieki (Latvian Social Democracy, social-democratic/communist, branch of the Russian Social-Democratic Workers' Party, former LSDSP, 1906-1919); LSDSP = Latvijas Socialdemokratiska Stradnieku Partija (Latvian Social-Democratic Workers' Party, social-democratic, 1904-1906 and 1918-1934); LTF = Latvijas Tautas Fronte (Latvian People's Front, pro-independence, 1988-1993); LTP = Latviesu Tautas Partija (Latvian People's Party, conservative, 1905-1918); LZP = Latvijas Zemturu Padome (Latvian Landholders' Council, conservative, former LTP, 1918-1919); LZS = Latvijas Zemnieku Savieniba (Latvian Farmers' Union, centrist, 1917-1934); NSDAP = Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (National Socialist German Workers Party, Nazi fascist, authoritarian, German nationalist -only legal party 1941-1944); PA = Progresiva Apvieniba (Progressive Union, former ALSMSP-LS, 1931-1934)

Courland


c.1562 - 26 Apr 1795 State flag


to 26 Apr 1795 Naval flag


26 Apr 1795 - 20 Nov 1917


May 1917 - Nov 1917 (unofficial)

Map of Courland Capital: Mitau
(Jelgava) Population: 350,000 (1795)
(excluding Pilten) Constitution:
Formula Regiminis
(28 Mar 1617)

1207 Bishop of Riga takes the style of Prince of Livonia
(Fürst von Livland) and makes Livonia part of the Holy
Roman Empire (formally 1 Dec 1225). Part of Bishop's
territories given as a fief to his standing army, the
Swordbrothers Order (Schwertbrüderorden, formally
Fratres Militiae Christi, established in c.1204).
12 May 1237 Swordbrothers Order is incorporated into the Teutonic Order
as a separate branch or province, informally known as the
Livonian Order (Livländischer Orden) and administered by
the Land-Master of the Teutonic Order in Livonia
(Landmeister des Deutschen Ordens Livland).
7 May 1366 Nominal suzerainty of Archbishop of Riga over the possessions
of the Livonian Order is formally abolished.
1413 Livonian knights are entitled to elect their Land-Master. The
Livonian Order becomes fully autonomous.
5 Mar 1562 Duchy of Courland (in full Duchy of Courland and Semigallia)
established as a hereditary fief of Lithuania given to the last
Land-Master of Livonian Order Gotthard Kettler and covering
former possessions of the Order south-west of the Daugava River.
4 Jul 1569 Poland and Lithuania enjoy equal rights regarding Duchy of
Courland and Semigallia.
31 May 1596 - 28 Mar 1617 Duchy of Courland and Semigallia informally partitioned into
Duchies of Courland and Semigallia (recognized by the
Commonwealth in 17 Apr 1598). Partition became nominal from
14 May 1616 when Duke of Semigallia Friedrich became also regent
of Duchy of Courland.
Aug 1701 - Sep 1709 Courland and Semigallia occupied by Sweden (Aug 1705 - Mar 1706,
interrupted by Russian occupation).
28 Mar 1795 Courland Landtag approves annexation to Russia,
suzerainty of Poland-Lithuania declared void.
26 Apr 1795 Courland and Semigallia annexed by Russia, autonomy guaranteed.
Russian Emperor adopts the style of "Prince of Courland and
Semigallia".
26 Jan 1796 Province or Government of Courland (Kurlyandskaya Guberniya),
autonomy abolished fully incorporated into Russia.
1 Feb 1797 Limited local autonomy restored (confirmed by all successive
Emperors of Russia on their accession until 1855).
8 Oct 1800 - Nov 1917 Province of Courland subordinated, with some interruptions,
to governors-general, or other overall administrations, of
the Baltic Provinces.
20 Jul 1812 - 20 Dec 1812 Province of Courland under the French occupation (from 1 Aug 1812,
Duchy of Courland and Semigallia and District of Pilten nominally
re-established under joint French-Saxon protectorate); Russian
administration is evacuated to Riga.
1889 Full integration of Livonia and Courland into the Russian Empire.
Oct 1905 - Jan 1906 Local revolutionary governments control most of the province of
Courland. Activities are co-ordinated by the Coordination
Committee of Liepaja (Libau).
May 1915 - Oct 1915 Courland gradually occupied by the Germans (Mitau [Jelgava], the
capital of province, on 1 Aug 1915). Russian administration is
evacuated to Dorpat (Tartu). German administration for the
Administrative Region of Courland (Verwaltungsbezirk Kurland)
established; subordinated to Commander of Eastern front
(see Eastern Front under Lithuania).
5 Jul 1917 Autonomy granted to the province of Courland (actually to its
administration in evacuation) by the Russian Provisional
Government.
3 Mar 1918 In the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (Brzecz-Litewski) Courland is "no
longer subject to Russian sovereignty", but Germany "determines
the future status of these territories in agreement with their
population" (treaty declared void by the Armistice at Compiegne
on 11 Nov 1918).
8 Mar 1918 Land Council of Courland (Landesrat von Kurland), set up by the
local German elite in Jelgava (Mitau), proclaims the Duchy of
Courland, and resolves to make it in personal union with Prussia
(15 Mar 1918 independence recognized by Germany, but no answer
comes to the offer of the ducal title).
1 Aug 1918 German administration for the Administrative Region of Courland
merged into a central Military Administration of the Baltic
Lands.
8 Nov 1918 A regency council for the Baltic State is set up by United Land
Council of Livonia, Estonia, Riga, and Ösel, and the Land Council
of Courland, incorporating the Duchy of Courland into the Baltic
State.
18 Nov 1918 Part of independent Latvia.

Princes in Couronia
c.866 - c.894              Lokeris
c.894 - 12..               ....
12.. - c.1230              Lamikis
12.. - 1267                ....
Princes in Semigallia
c.1200 - c.1230            Vesthard
12.. - c.1250              Sabe
12.. - 1281                Nameisis

Land-Masters of Swordbrothers Order (Fratres Militiae Christi)
1207 - 1209                Vinno von Rohrbach                (d. 1209)
1209 - 22 Sep 1236         Volkwin von Naumburg zu           (d. 1236)
                             Winterstätten
22 Sep 1236 - 12 May 1237 Rutger (acting)
Land-Masters of the Teutonic Order in Livland
(Landmeister des Deutschen Ordens in Livland)
12 May 1237 - 1238         Hermann Balk                      (b. 11.. - d. 1239)
1238 - 1241                Dietrich von Grüningen (1st time) (b. c.1210 - d. 1259)
1241 - 1242                Andreas von Velven (Felben) (1st time)
1242 - 1246                Dietrich von Grüningen (2nd time) (s.a.)
1246 - 1248                Heinrich von Heimburg
1248 - 1253                Andreas von Velven (Felben) (2nd time)
1253 - 1254                Eberhard von Sayn (acting)        (d. 1258)
1254 - 1256                Anno von Sangerhausen             (d. af.1273)
1257 - 13 Jul 1260         Burchard von Hornhausen           (d. 1260)
1261                       Georg von Eichstädt
1261 - Feb 1263            Werner von Breithausen
Feb 1263 - 1266            Konrad von Mandern                (d. 1295)
1267 - 16 Feb 1270         Otto von Lauterberg               (d. 1270)
16 Feb 1270 - 1270         Andreas von Westfalen -Regent
1270 - 1273                Walter von Nordeck                (d. af.1287)
1274 - 5 Mar 1279         Ernst von Ratzeburg               (d. 1279)
1279 - 1281                Konrad von Feuchtwangen           (d. 1296) 5 Mar 1279 - 1280         Gerhard Graf von Katzenelnbogen-Regent (d. 1280)
1281 - 1282                Mangold von Sternberg -Regent     (d. 1283)
1282 - 26 Mar 1287         Wilken von Endorp (regent to 1283)(d. 1287)
(Wilhelm von Nindorf)
1288 - 1289                Konrad von Hazzigenstein        (d. af.1303) (Cuno von Hattenstein) 1290 - 1293                Balthasar Holte
1293 - 1295                ....
1295 - 28 Oct 1296         Hinrich von Dinkelaghe (Dincklage)(d. 1296)
28 Oct 1296 - 1 Jun 1298 Bruno (regent to 1297)            (d. 1298)
1298 - Nov 1307            Gottfried Rogge
Nov 1309 - 1322            Gerhard von Jork
1322 - 1324                Konrad Kesselhut -Regent          (d. 1334)
1324 - 25 May 1328         Reimar Hahn (Reymar Hane)
25 May 1328 - 24 Jun 1340 Eberhard von Monheim              (b. c.1275 - d. af.1346)
24 Jun 1340 - 14 Dec 1345 Burchard von Dreileben            (b. 129. - d. af.1366) (Borchart van Dreinlove)14 Dec 1345 - 10 Sep 1359 Goswin von Herreke                (d. 1359)
10 Sep 1359 - Feb 1360     Andreas von Steinberg (1st time) (d. af.1375)
                             (acting)
Feb 1306 - 11 Jul 1364     Arnold von Vietinghoff            (d. 1364)
11 Jul 1364 - 29 Sep 1364 Andreas von Steinberg (2nd time) (s.a.)
                             (acting)
29 Sep 1364 - Mar 1385     Wilhelm von Friemersheim          (d. 1385)
Mar 1385 - 10 Aug 1388     Robin von Eltz                    (d. 1388)
                             (acting to ... 1385)
Sep 1388 - 1389            Johann von Ohle (acting)          (d. af.1403)
1389 - 1401                Wennemar von Brüggenei            (d. 1401)
1401 - 21 Oct 1401         Bernhard Hövelmann (acting)       (d. af.1404)
21 Oct 1401 - 14 Feb 1413 Konrad von Vietinghoff            (d. 1413)
Feb 1413 - 17 Aug 1415     Dietrich Tork                     (d. 1415)
                             (acting to 13 May 1413)
Sep 1415 - 31 Mar 1424     Siegfried Lander von Sponheim     (d. 1424)
31 Mar 1424 - May 1424     Dietrich Kra (acting)             (d. af.1427)
May 1424 - Oct 1433        Cisse von dem Rutenberg           (d. 1433)
Oct 1433 - 1 Sep 1435     Frank Kirskorf (Franke Kerskorff) (d. 1435)
                             (acting to Jan 1434)
1 Sep 1435 - Dec 1437     Heinrich von Böckenförde, gen.    (d. 1437)
                             Schüngel (acting to Oct 1435)
Dec 1437 - May 1438        Gottfried von Rodenberg (acting) (d. af.1448)
May 1438 - 29 Jun 1450     Heidenrich Vincke von Overberg    (d. 1450)
                             (regent to 19 Jun 1439)
29 Jun 1450 - 6 Sep 1450 Gotthard von Plettenberg (acting) (d. af.1461)
6 Sep 1450 - 15 Aug 1469 Johann von Mengede, gen. Osthof   (b. c.1421 - d. 1469)
15 Aug 1469 - 7 Jan 1470 Johann von Krieckenbeck, gen. Spor(d. 1472)
                             (acting)
7 Jan 1470 - Oct 1471     Johann Wolthus von Herse          (d. 1472) (Johann Waldhaus von Heerse) Oct 1471 - Nov 1483        Bernhard (Bernd) von der Borch    (d. 1488)
                             (acting to 1472)
Nov 1483 - 26 May 1494     Johann Freitag von Loringhofe     (b. 143. - d. 1494)
                             (regent to 10 Jan 1485)
26 May 1494 - 28 Feb 1535 Wolter von Plettenberg            (b. c.1450 - d. 1535)
                             (acting to 7 Jul 1494)
1501 - 1502                Wennemar von Dellwig (acting)     (d. 1510)
28 Feb 1535 - 4 Feb 1549 Hermann Brüggenei, gen. Hasenkamp (b. c.1475 - d. 1549)
                             (co-adjutor from 1533)
4 Feb 1549 - 18 May 1551 Johann von der Recke              (b. c.1480 - d. 1551)
                             (co-adjutor from 1541)
18 May 1551 - 30 May 1557 Heinrich von Galen                (b. 1480 - d. 1557)
                             (acting to Jun 1551)
1 Jun 1557 - 17 Sep 1559 Johann Wilhelm Graf von           (b. c.1500 - d. 1568)
                             Fürstenberg (co-adjutor from 1556)
17 Sep 1559 - 5 Mar 1562 Gotthard Ketteler                 (b. 1517 - d. 1587)
                             (co-adjutor from 9 Jul 1558)
Dukes (title Von Gottes Gnaden Herzog in Livland zu Kurland und Semgallen - "By the Grace
of God, Duke in Livonia for Courland and Semigallia")¹
5 Mar 1562 - 17 May 1587 Gotthard                          (s.a.)
17 May 1587 - 16 Aug 1642 Friedrich                         (b. 1569 - d. 1642)
                           - jointly with -
21 May 1596 - 4 May 1616 Wilhelm                           (b. 1574 - d. 1640)
26 Aug 1642 - 31 Dec 1681 Jakob                             (b. 1610 - d. 1682)
31 Dec 1681 - 22 Jan 1698 Friedrich Kasimir                 (b. 1650 - d. 1698)
22 Jan 1698 - 21 Jan 1711 Friedrich Wilhelm                 (b. 1692 - d. 1711)
                            (1701 - 1710 in Bayreuth exile)
1698 - Nov 1709            Prince Ferdinand -Regent          (b. 1655 - d. 1737)
                            ("Duke-administrator"; from Aug 1701
                             in Danzig exile)
1701 - 1702                Elisabeth Sophie Herzogin von     (b. 1674 - d. 1770)
                             Brandenburg (f) -Regent
Swedish Governors
Aug 1701 - 1702            Karl Magnus friherre Stuart       (b. 1650 - d. 1705)
1702 - Aug 1705            Adam Ludwig greve Lewenhaupt      (b. 1659 - d. 1719)
                             (1st time)
Aug 1705 - Mar 1706        Rudolf Felix Bauer                (b. 1667 - d. 1717)
                             (Russian governor)
Mar 1706 - Sep 1709        Adam Ludwig greve Lewenhaupt      (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
Dukes
21 Jan 1711 - 4 May 1737 Ferdinand (in Danzig exile)       (s.a.)
1711 - Jan 1730            Grand Princess Anna Ioannovna     (b. 1693 - d. 1740)
                             Romanova -Regent
                            (informal: "Duchess-dowager")
1726 - 1727                Moritz Graf von Sachsen (b. 1696 - d. 1750)
                            (informal: "Duke-heir"; in competition)
4 May 1737 - 13 Jul 1737 Christoph Friedrich von der Osten (b. 1697 - d. 1759)
                             gen. Sacken-Appricken -Regent
                            (1st time)(Landhofmeister, in the name of
                             the Kollegium der Oberräte, regents)
13 Jul 1737 - 16 Nov 1758 Ernst Johann (1st time)           (b. 1690 - d. 1772)
                            (from 20 Nov 1740, Russian prisoner)
20 Nov 1740 - 16 Nov 1758 Christoph Friedrich von der Osten (s.a.)
                             gen. Sacken-Appricken -Regent
                            (2nd time)(Landhofmeister, in the name of
                             the Kollegium der Oberräte, regents)
16 Nov 1758 - 23 Jan 1763 Karl                              (b. 1731 - d. 1796)
                            (Karl Christian Joseph Herzog von Sachsen)
23 Jan 1763 - 21 Feb 1763 Heinrich Christain von            (b. 1696 - d. 1781)
                             Offenberg? -Regent (Landhofmeister, in
                             the name of the Kollegium der Oberräte, regents)
21 Feb 1763 - 25 Nov 1769 Ernst Johann (2nd time)           (s.a.)
25 Nov 1769 - 28 Mar 1795 Peter                             (b. 1724 - d. 1800)
28 Mar 1795 - 26 Apr 1795 Carl Ferdiand von Orgies gen.     (b. 1741 - d. 1801)
                             Rutenberg -Regent (Landhofmeister, in the
                             name of the Kollegium der Oberräte, regents)
Governor-general of Courland and Pilten
26 Apr 1795 - 28 Jan 1796 Peter Ludwig Freiherr von der     (b. 1745 - d. 1826)
                             Pahlen
                             (Pyotr-Lyudvig Alekseyevich Graf Palen)
Governors
28 Jan 1796 - 9 Nov 1798 Gustav Matthias Jakob von der     (b. 1745 - d. 1823)
                             Wenge, gen. Lambsdorff
9 Nov 1798 - 20 Oct 1800 Carl Wilhelm Heinrich von der     (b. 1746 - d. 1827)
                             Osten, gen. Driesen
20 Oct 1800 - 18 Nov 1808 Nikolay Ivanovich Arsenyev        (b. 1760 - d. 1830)
18 Nov 1808 - 21 Nov 1808 Jakob Maximilian von Brieskorn
                             (1st time)(acting)
21 Nov 1808 - 18 Aug 1811 Johann Wilhelm Baron von Hogguer (b. 1755 - d. 1838)
18 Aug 1811 - 12 Sep 1811 Jakob Maximilian von Brieskorn
                             (2nd time)(acting)
23 Sep 1811 - Jan 1816     Friedrich Wilhelm Graf von        (b. 1748 - d. 1823)
                             Sievers
                            (20 Jul 1812 - Dec 1812 in Riga exile)
French Commander
20 Jul 1812 - 1 Aug 1812 Jacques Étienne Joseph Alexandre (b. 1765 - d. 1840)
                             MacDonald, duc de Tarente
Intendants
1 Aug 1812 - 8 Oct 1812 Jules de Chambaudoin
                           + Charles de Montigny
Governor-General
8 Oct 1812 - 20 Dec 1812 Jacques David Martin, baron de    (b. 1761 - d. 1837)
                             Campredon
Governors
Jan 1816 - 18 Feb 1824 Emannuel von Stanecke             (b. 1750 - d. 1838)
                             (acting to 16 Feb 1816)
18 Feb 1824 - 7 Dec 1827 Paul Baron von Hahn               (b. 1793 - d. 1862)
7 Dec 1827 - 22 May 1853 Christoph Engelbrecht von Brevern (b. 1782 - d. 1863)
22 May 1853 - 14 Jun 1853 Aleksandr Petrovich Beklemishev
                             (acting)
14 Jun 1853 - 10 May 1858 Pyotr Aleksandrovich Valuyev      (b. 1814 - d. 1890)
10 May 1858 - 21 May 1858 Julius Gustav von Cube (acting)   (b. 1815 - d. 1888)
21 May 1858 - 2 Sep 1868 Johann von Brevern                (b. 1812 - d. 1885)
2 Sep 1868 - 23 Dec 1885 Paul Fromhold Ignatius von        (b. 1829 - d. 1903)
                             Lilienfeld
23 Dec 1885 - 31 Dec 1885 Aleksandr Alekseyevich Manyos
                             (acting)
31 Dec 1885 - 12 Apr 1888 Konstantin Ivanovich Pashchenko   (b. 1830 - d. 1900)
12 Apr 1888 - 1 Jan 1892 Dmitriy Sergeyevich Sipyagin      (b. 1850 - d. 1902)
1 Jan 1892 - 23 Oct 1905 Dmitriy Dmitriyevich Sverbeyev    (b. 1842 - d. 1919)
23 Oct 1905 - 23 Jul 1910 Leonid Mikhailovich Knyazev       (b. 1851 - d. 1913)
Dec 1905 - Jan 1906        Janis Lencmanis                   (b. 1881 - d. 1939) LSDSP
                           + Semyon Mikhailovich Nakhimson   (b. 1885 - d. 1918) Bund
                           (leaders of the Coordination Committee
                           of Liepaja [Libau]; in rebellion)
23 Jul 1910 - Sep 1910     Prince Nikolay Dmitriyevich       (b. 1872 - d. 1937)
                             Kropotkin (acting)
Sep 1910 - 25 May 1915     Sergey Dmitriyevich Nabokov       (b. 1866 - d. 1940)
May 1915 - May 1916        Tatishchev (in Tartu exile)
30 May 1916 - 30 Dec 1916 Count Pyotr Vasilyevich Hendrikov (b. 1883 - d. 1942)
                             (in Tartu exile)
30 Dec 1916 - 1917         Strakhov (in Tartu exile)
Province Commissioner of Courland
17 May 1917 - Nov 1917     Janis Cakste (in Tartu exile)     (b. 1859 - d. 1927) LZS
Commander of the 8th Army
26 May 1915 - 16 Aug 1915 Friedrich von Scholtz             (b. 1851 - d. 1927)
Head of the Military Administration for Courland
16 Aug 1915 - 1 Sep 1918 Alfred Freiherr von Gossler       (b. 1867 - d. 1946)
Reichskommissars for the Baltic Sea Regions
15 Mar 1918 - 5 Jun 1918 Robert Franz Karl Graf von        (b. 1866 - d. 1959)
                             Keyserlingk-Cammerau
5 Jun 1918 - 31 Jun 1918 Friedrich Karl Alexander Casar    (b. 1869 - d. 1946)
                             Freiherr von Falkenhausen

Chairmen of the Ducal (from 26 Apr 1795 Provisional) Government
(styled Landhofmeister)
1562 - 1681                ....
1681 - 1701                Christoph Heinrich von Puttkammer (d. 1701)
                            (to 1683 chancellor and acting chairman)
1701 - 1708                Friedrich von Brackel             (b. 1634 - d. 1708)
                             (to 1703 chancellor and acting chairman)
1708 - 1727                Heinrich Christian von den        (d. 1729)
                             Brincken (to 1709 chancellor
                             and acting chairman)
1727 - 1729                Adam Kazimierz Kosciuszko         (d. 1730)
1729 - 18 Jan 1731         Casimir Christoph von Brackel     (b. 1686 - d. 1742)
18 Jan 1731 - 15 Apr 1736 Heinrich Georg von Mirbach        (b. 1674 - d. 1736)
15 Apr 1736 - 1759         Christoph Friedrich von der Osten,(s.a.)
                             gen. Sacken-Appricken
1759 - 1763                Otto Christoph von der Howen      (b. 1699 - d. 1775)
                             (1st time) (to 1759 chancellor
                             and acting chairman)
1763 - 1767                Heinrich Christian von Offenberg (s.a.)
1767 - 8 Dec 1775          Otto Christoph von der Howen      (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
8 Dec 1775 - 1786         Johann Ernst von Klopmann         (b. 1725 - d. 1786)
                             (to 1776 chancellor and acting chairman)
1786 - 21 Dec 1786         Ernst Johann von Taube (1st time) (b. 1740 - d. 1794)
                             (chancellor and acting chairman)
21 Dec 1786 - 1787         Christian Ernst von Oelsen        (b. 1729 - d. 1787)
1787 - 1794                Ernst Johann von Taube (2nd time) (s.a.)
                             (to 1788 chancellor and acting chairman)
1794 - 28 Jan 1796         Carl Ferdinand von Orgies, gen.   (s.a.)
                             Rutenberg (to 1794 chancellor
                             and acting chairman)
Chairman of the Land Government
1 Aug 1812 - 20 Dec 1812 Karl Johann Friedrich Graf von    (b. 1762 - d. 1827)
                             Medem (under French occupation)
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Provisional
Land Council of Courland
10 May 1917 - Nov 1917     Karlis Pauluks (in Tartu exile)   (b. 1870 - d. 1945) LZS
Chairman of the Land Council of Courland
8 Mar 1918 - 8 Nov 1918 Alexander Immanuel Baron von      (b. 1859 - d. 1920)
                             Rahden-Maihof

¹According to the Constitution (Formula Regiminis) of Courland of 28 Mar 1617, the ducal
authority during the vacancy, minority, disability and even absence of the duke is exercised by the cabinet, the Supreme Council (Kollegium der Oberräte), however, usually the actual
regents were other persons in competition with the formal regents.

Noble titles: Greve/Graf = Count, Friherre/Freiherr = Baron, Herzog/Herzogin = Duke/Duchess.

Grobin (Grobina)

1245                       Ceded to the Livonian Order.
1560                       Pledged to Prussia (Amt Grobin).
13 Mar 1609                Returned to Courland.
23 May 1794 - 11 Aug 1794 Occupied by Lithuania.

Commander
23 May 1794 - 11 Aug 1794 von Mirbach (d. 1794)

Pilten


to 26 Apr 1795

Sep 1234 Bishopric of Courland (Bistum Kurland) established (formally
declared in 11 Feb 1232), consisting of three separate enclaves
after numerous distributions of the Couronian lands among the
Bishops of Courland, and of Riga, and the Teutonic Order.
Note: the bishops were also rulers of the island of Runö
1290 The cathedral chapter is incorporated into the Teutonic Order
lands, the bishopric is subjected to the Order.
1520 Made a sovereign principality (prince-bishopric) of the Holy Roman
Empire (formally from Jan 1521), but style of prince not used.
20 May 1560 Sold to the King of Denmark, given as an appanage (Stift Kurland)
to the brother of the King, Magnus Herzog von Holstein.
1578 Bishop Magnus accepts sovereignty of Poland-Lithuania (not
Denmark).
20 Apr 1585 Sold by Denmark to Poland-Lithuania.
17 Jun 1585 Informal subdivisions established: Pilten (administered by pledges
(Polish "throne fief" to 16..).
28 Oct 1611 Incorporation into Poland-Lithuania as the District of Pilten
of Polish Livonia declared (not effected).
9 May 1617 Bishopric of Pilten (Stift Pilten) in personal (actually
subordinated) union with Poland-Lithuania.
1656 The rights of pledge bought by the Duke of Courland.
3 May 1660 Fief of Poland-Lithuanian to the Duke of Courland.
25 Feb 1661 Formal personal union with Courland.
1701 - 1709 Occupied by Sweden (1705 - 1706 interrupted by Russian occupation).
1717 Personal union with the Commonwealth restored.
28 Mar 1795 Pilten Landtag approves annexation to Russia, suzerainty of
Poland-Lithuania declared void.
26 Apr 1795 Annexed by Russia, autonomy guaranteed.
28 Jan 1796 Autonomy abolished, fully incorporated into Courland.
1 Feb 1797 Local autonomy restored, within the province of Courland.
Jul 1812 - Nov 1812 Occupied by France and made part of the Duchy of Courland,
Semigallia and Pilten.
2 Mar 1818 Fully incorporated into Courland.

Bishops of Courland1232 - 1234    Balduin Alnast    (d. 1243)1234 - 1236/37         Engelbrecht                         (d. c.1240)1236/37 - 1250           .... (unknown) 3 Mar 1251 - 5 Mar 1263 Heinrich I von Lützelburg           (d. 1273) 5 Mar 1263 - 1298         Edmund von Werth                    (d. 1298)
1300 - 1311                Burchard                          (d. c.1320)
5 Mar 1322 - 1326         Paul I
11 Oct 1328 - 1331/32      Johannes I                          (d. 1331/32)
1332 - 5 Jun 1353         Johannes II                         (d. 1353)
14 Mar 1354 - 1359         Ludolf                              (d. 1359)
25 Jan 1360 - 1371         Jakob                               (d. 1371)
8 Jun 1371 - 1398         Otto                                (d. 1398)
12 Jun 1399 - 1404         Rutger von Brüggenei                (d. 1404)
12 Jan 1405 - 17 Nov 1424 Gottschalk Schutte                  (d. 1424)
1424 - 1425 Dietrich Tanke15 Jan 1425 - 28 Nov 1456 Johannes III Tiergart               (d. 1456)
20 Jun 1457 - 9 Jul 1473 Paul II Einwald
9 Jul 1473 - 31 Jan 1500 Martin Lewitz                       (d. 1500)
4 May 1500 - 4 Nov 1500 Michael Sculteti                    (d. 1500)
12 Feb 1501 - 1523         Heinrich II Basedow                 (b. bf.1459 - d. 1523)
2 Mar 1524 - 1539         Hermann II Ronneberg                (d. 1539)
16 Jul 1540 - Apr 1560     Johannes IV von Münchhausen         (d. 1572)
1560 - 28 Feb 1583         Magnus Herzog von Holstein          (b. 1540 - d. 1583)
Princes
3 May 1660 - 1717         the Dukes of Courland
1717 - 26 Apr 1795         the Kings of Poland
Oberhauptleute (Polish: Starostes)
1562 - 1574      Heinrich Wolf von Lüdinghausen    (d. 1574)1574 - 1585    .... 1585 - 1603 Johann von Behr-Edwahlen 1603 - 1611    Christoph von Rappe-Telsen 1611 - 1616    the Duke of Courland 1621 - 1633    Hermann von Maydell 1633 - af.1667 Otto von Maydell 16.. - 16..              Otto Ernst von Maydell (b. 1608 - d. 1670)
1698 - 1705                Georg Johann von Keyserlingk        (b. 1629 - d. 1705)1705 - 1715                Ulrich von Behr                     (b. 1667 - d. 1722)
1715 - 1717                Ernst Ewald von Heyking             (d. 1724)
1717 - 26 Apr 1795         Vacant

Präsidenten des Landratskollegiums
1667 - 16..    Otto von Maydell 1697 - 1710                Friedrich von der Osten,gen. Sacken (d. 1714)
1710 - 1714                Wilhelm Alexander von Heyking       (b. 1649 d. 1714)
1714 - 1735                Ulrich von Behr                     (b. 1669 - d. 1749)
                             (acting to 1717)
1735 - 15 Jun 1750         Ernst von Koskull                   (b. 1678 - d. 1750)
1750 - 23 Feb 1764         Magnus Ernst von Fircks             (b. 1703 - d. 1764)
1764 - 1779                Johann Ernst von Heyking            (b. 1716 - d. 1782)
1779 - 1782                Friedrich Hermann von Behr          (b. 1729 - d. 1807)
1782 - 28 Jan 1796         Otto Ulrich von der Osten, gen.     (b. 1741 - d. 1818)
                             Sacken (acting to 1783)

Dondangen (Dundaga)

1232                       Part of the Bishopric (from 1255, Archbishopric) of Riga.
1435                       Sold to Bishop of Courland.
17 Jun 1585                Lordship of Dondangen (Herrschaft Dondangen), a
                             "throne fief" (thronlehen) of the Polish crown.
1639                       Formal union with Pilten; retains special status and privileges.
1656                       Passed to the house von Maydell.
1701 - 1709                Occupied by Sweden (1705 - 1706 under Russian occupation).
21 Jun 1711                Passed to the house vonOsten-Sacken.
26 Apr 1795                Annexed by Russia as a part of Pilten.

Lords (style Erbherr/Erbherrin an Dondangen)
17 Jun 1585 - 1588         Martin Berzowicz
1588 - 1610                Levin von Bülow                     (d. 1610)
1610 - 1652                Friedrichvon Bülow (d. 1652)
1652 - 1656            Anna Sibylla von Maydell (f) -Lady (d. 1687)
   (1st time)1656 - 30 Jul 1670         Otto Ernst von Maydell (b. 1608 - d. 1670)
30 Jul 1670 - 1687 Anna Sibylla von Maydell (f) -Lady (s.a.)
   (2nd time) 1687 - 21 Jun 1711 Dietrich von Maydell    (b. c.1648 - d. 1711)
21 Jun 1711 - 1718         Ewald von der Osten-Sacken        (b. 1665 - d. 1718)
1718 - 6 Aug 1731         Johann Ulrichvon der Osten-Sacken (b. 1674 - d. 1731)
6 Aug 1731 - 31 Dec 1794 Carl von der Osten-Sacken        (b. 1721 - d. 1794)
                            (from 8 Mar 1763, Karl Graf von der
                             Osten, gen. Sacken; from 15 Oct 1786 Karl
                             Fürst von der Osten, gen. Sacken)
31 Dec 1794 - 26 Apr 1795 Christiane (Charlotte Sophie Freiin
                             von Dieskau) (f) -Lady            (b. 1733 - d. 1811)

Livonia

1270 - 14 Jan 1582	14 Jan 1582 - 26 Sep 1621	26 Sep 1621 - 15 Jul 1710	15 Jul 1710 - 20 Nov 1917
May 1917 - 20 Nov 1917 (unofficial)	21 Nov 1917 - 22 Feb 1918


1201 Seat of Bishopric of Livonia (est. in 1186) moved from Üxküll
(Ikskile) to the newly founded city of Riga. Gradual conquest
of the peoples of modern Latvia begins; completed 1290.
1207 Bishop of Riga takes the style of Prince of Livonia
(Fürst von Livland) and makes Livonia part of the Holy Roman
Empire (formally 1 Dec 1225). Part of bishop's territories
given as a fief to his standing army, the Swordbrothers
Order (Schwertbrüderorden, formally Fratres Militiae Christi,
established in c.1204).
12 May 1237 Swordbrothers Order is incorporated into the Teutonic Order as
a separate branch or province, informally known as the Livonian
Order (Livländischer Orden) and administered by the Land-Master
of the Teutonic Order in Livonia (see under Courland).
1253 Archbishop of Livonia, Prussia and Estonia, previously having no
separate diocese, becomes also the Bishop of Riga. Both offices
formally merged 20 Jan 1255.
7 May 1366 Nominal suzerainty of Archbishop of Riga over the possessions
of the Livonian Order is formally abolished.
1420 Livonian Confederation (Livländischer Bund) established,
includes the Archbishop of Riga, bishops of Dorpat, Courland,
Ösel-Wiek and Reval, their chapters (Domkapitel), Land-Master
of Livonian Order, vassals of bishops and the Order and
cities of Riga, Dorpat (Tartu) and Reval (Tallinn).
Possessions of all these rulers were known in common as
Livonia during 13th-16th centuries.
1520 Government of Livonia formally shared between the Archbishop
1561 - 1660 Constant conflict among Poland-Lithuania, Russia, and
Sweden over possession of Livonia.
5 Mar 1562 Principality of Livonia (includes Livonia proper [except the city
of Riga] and Lettgallia) established in personal (actually
subordinate) union with Lithuania.
26 Dec 1566 Principality of Livonia becomes Duchy (formal name Ducatus
Livoniae Ultradunensis [Transdunenian Duchy]) in full union with
Lithuania. In Latin and German the style is Duke of Livonia, in
Lithuanian and Polish the style is rendered as Prince of Livonia.
4 Jul 1569 Poland and Lithuania enjoy equal rights regarding Duchy of
Livonia (Inflanty in Polish).
1570 - 1578 Ivan IV of Russia installs Magnus Herzog von Holstein as the king
of Livonia and grants him as a fief some parts of the area
controlled by Russia (in present-day central and southern Estonia
and northern Latvia).
14 Jan 1582 Riga, having been the Free City (Freie Stadt Riga) of Empire since
5 March 1562, incorporated into the Commonwealth as a part of
Livonia (remains an autonomous City under the Polish-Lithuanian
sovereignty to 1621).
26 Sep 1621 City of Riga surrenders to the Swedish forces (occupation of the
western part of Duchy of Livonia completed by 1625).
26 Sep 1629 Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth provisionally cedes the
western part of Duchy of Livonia (Livonia (proper) and
southern part of modern Estonia) to Sweden (extended in
12 Sep 1635 and confirmed in 3 May 1660). The Commonwealth
retains eastern part of Duchy of Livonia (Lettgallia),
informally called thereafter Polish Livonia.
30 May 1630 Swedish part of Livonia, informally known as "Swedish Livonia",
Livland or "Great Livonia" formally organized as the Duchy (or
Province) of Livonia with capital in Riga. King of Sweden
additionally styled the "Duke of Livonia" from 1660.
15 Jul 1710 City of Riga surrenders to Russian forces (occupation of
Swedish Livonia, begun in 1704, completed). Swedish Livonia
is annexed by Russia and autonomy guaranteed. Thereafter
informally Russian Livonia (until 1772) and in semi-official
local usage Duchy (rendered Principality in Russian) of Livonia
(until 1783). The Russian Tsar adopts the style of Prince of
Livonia.
8 Aug 1713 Province or Government of Riga (Rizhskaya Guberniya) formed.
10 Sep 1721 Swedish Livonia formally ceded by Sweden to Russia under the
Peace of Nystad.
30 Sep 1773 In the Second Partition of Poland-Lithuania, Lettgallia
(Polish Livonia) annexed by the Russian Empire.
1775 - Nov 1917 Province of Livonia subordinated, with some interruptions, to
governors-general, or other overall administrations, of
the Baltic Provinces.
14 Jul 1783 Province of Livonia (Liflyandskaya Guberniya) autonomy is
abolished and is fully incorporated into Russia.
28 Nov 1796 Limited local autonomy restored (confirmed by all successive
Emperors of Russia on their accession until 1855).
1889 Full integration of Livonia and Courland into the Russian Empire.
Oct 1905 - Jan 1906 Local revolutionary governments (action committees) control most of
the province of Livonia. Their activities coordinated by
Federated Committee of Riga.
5 Jul 1917 Autonomy granted to the province of Livonia.
3 Sep 1917 Germany occupies the city of Riga and its surroundings. Russian
administrations of Livonia and the Baltic Provinces evacuated to
Valmiera. German administration for Administrative Region of
Riga (Verwaltungsbezirk Riga) established (subordinated to
Commander of Eastern front [see Eastern Front under Lithuania]).
9 Nov 1917 - 21 Nov 1917 Bolshevik troops gradually take over the province of Livonia (on
21 Nov 1917 military administration of Livonia replaced by the
United Latvian Workers, Soldiers and Landless Peasants' Soviet
which is located in Valka).
29 Dec 1917 Autonomous Latvian Soviet government within the Russian Soviet
Republic declared, covering the province of Livonia (excluding
German-occupied Riga), which from 27 Dec 1917 includes also
Lettgallia (sometimes called Iskolata Republika).
18 Feb 1918 - 22 Feb 1918 Livonia and Lettgallia gradually occupied by Germany. German
administration for the Administrative Region of Livonia
(Verwaltungsbezirk Livland) established in Tartu (Dorpat)
(subordinated to Commander of Eastern front)(see Eastern
Front under Lithuania).
3 Mar 1918 By the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (Brzecz-Litewski) the city of Riga
and its surroundings are "no longer subject to Russian
sovereignty", but Germany "determines the future status of these
territories in agreement with their population". Russia retains
(nominally) Lettgallia and sovereignty over the rest of Livonia
(including the Lettgallian town of Krustpils [Kreuzburg] and its
surroundings), which is to remain "occupied by a German police
force until security is insured by proper national institutions".
1 Aug 1918 German administrations for the Administrative Regions of Livonia,
Estonia, Courland, Ösel, and Riga united into a central Military
Administration of the Baltic Lands (Militärverwaltung der
Baltischen Lände), located in Riga.
11 Nov 1918 In the Armistice at Compiegne, the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is
declared void and all German troops to be withdrawn (fixed time
not given). Military Administration of the Baltic Lands
functions until 26 Nov 1918.
18 Nov 1918 Part of independent Latvia.

Princes in Letgale (Lettgallia)
118. - c.1203              Vasilko (in Gersik [Gerzike])
118. - 1206                Vyacheslav Borisovich             (d. 1206)
                             (in Kukenois [Koknese])
c.1203 - 123.              Vsevolod (in Gersik [Gerzike])
1206 - 1215                Occupied by Polock
12.. - 1244                Vyachko (in Varka)
Princes of Letts and Livs
11.. - c.1200              Vesike (in Metzepole [Vidzeme])
12.. - c.1214              Talivaldis (in Talva [Letgale])

Bishops of Livonia (in Üxküll)
1186 - 12 Oct 1196         Meinhard (Meinhardus)             (d. 1196)
1196 - 24 Aug 1198         Berthold Schulte                  (d. 1198)
Mar 1199 - 1201            Albrecht von Buxhövden            (b. c.1165 - d. 1229)
Bishops of Riga (from 1207, also Princes of Livland)
1201 - 17 Jan 1229         Albrecht I von Buxhövden          (s.a.)
8 Apr 1231 - Dec 1253     Nikolaus von Nauen                (d. 1253)
1254 - 20 Jan 1255         Albrecht II Suerbeer              (d. 1273)
Archbishops of Riga and Princes of Livland
20 Jan 1255 - 1273         Albrecht II Suerbeer              (s.a.)
17 May 1274 - 1285         Johannes I von Lünen             (d. 1285)
10 Jan 1286 - 1294         Johannes II von Vechten         (d. 1294)
18 Apr 1295 - 1300         Johannes III Graf von Schwerin    (d. 1300)
19 Dec 1300 - 11 Apr 1302 Isarno Morlane                    (d. 1303)                            (= Isarno Tacconi = Isarnus Fontianost)
11 Apr 1302 - 1304         Jens Grand
21 Mar 1304 - 1340         Friedrich Banner von Pernstein    (b. c.1270 - d. 1340)
                            (= Friedrich Baro)
18 Oct 1341 - 9 Sep 1347 Engelbrecht von Dolen             (d. 1347)
17 Mar 1348 - 28 Dec 1369 Fromhold von Vyshusen (Vyffhusen) (d. 1369)
11 Feb 1370 - 30 Jun 1374 Siegfried von Blomberg            (d. 1374)
23 Oct 1374 - 24 Sep 1393 Johannes IV von Ziten           (d. 1397)
8 Apr 1395 - 30 May 1418 Johannes V von Wallenrode         (d. 1419)
11 Jul 1418 - 14 May 1424 Johannes VI Ambundi               (d. 1424)
13 Oct 1424 - 5 Apr 1448 Henning Scharpenberg              (d. 1448)
9 Oct 1448 - 12 Jul 1479 Silvester Stodewäscher            (d. 1479)
22 Mar 1480 - 20 Dec 1483 Stephan Grube                    (d. 1483)
4 Jun 1484 - 5 Feb 1509 Michael Hildebrand                (b. 1433 - d. 1509)
23 May 1509 - 29 Jun 1524 Casper (Jasper) Linde             (d. 1524)
29 Jun 1524 - 9 Sep 1527 Johannes VII Blankenfeld        (b. 1481 - d. 1527)
18 Jan 1531 - 11 Aug 1539 Thomas Schöning                   (d. 1539)
7 Sep 1539 - 4 Feb 1563 Wilhelm von Hohenzollern Markgraf von Brandenburg (b. 1498 - d. 1563)
Administrator
1520 - 5 Mar 1562         the Land-Masters of the Teutonic
                           Order in Livland
Military governors
1559 - 1560                Jan Chodkiewicz                   (b. c.1537 - d. 1579)
                           - jointly with -
1559 - 1560                Jerzy Zenowicz                    (d. 1614)
16 Jun 1560 - 28 Nov 1561 Mikolaj Radziwill Rudy    (b. 1512 - d. 1584)
Polish Governors
28 Nov 1561 - 15 May 1562? Mikolaj Radziwill Rudy (1st time) (s.a.)
5 Mar 1562 - 26 Dec 1566 Gotthard Ketteler Herzog von      (b. 1517 - d. 1587)
                             Kurland und Semgallen
2 Aug 1566 - 26 May 1578 Jan Chodkiewicz (administrator)   (s.a.)
14 Jan 1578-af.2 Apr 1578 Aleksander Chodkiewicz (acting)   (d. 1578/80)
3 Jun 1578 - 11 Nov 1584 Mikolaj Radziwill Rudy (2nd time) (s.a.)
Mar/Apr1582-bf.12 Jul 1588 Stanislaw Pekoslawski (commissar) (d. 1588)
1588 - 1589               Vacant
1589 - 20 Nov 1603         Krzysztof Radziwill Piorun    (b. 1547 - d. 1603) 2 Nov 1589 - Apr 1601     Jan Abramowicz (or Abrahamowicz) (d. 1602)
                            (president of Dorpat province)
1603 - 24 Sep 1621         Jan Karol Chodkiewicz             (b. 1560 - d. 1621)
                            (administrator; from
                             c.17 Mar 1604 also commissar)
Swedish Governors
1621 - 1622    Kaspar Kruse
19 Aug 1622 - Jun 1628     Jakob Pontusson de la Gardie,     (b. 1583 - d. 1652)
                             greve Lecko
Jun 1628 - 1629            Gustaf Horn (acting) (b. 1577 - d. 1645) 29 Nov 1629 - 1633         Johann Bengtson Schroderus,       (b. 1577 - d. 1645)
                             friherre Skytte af Duderhof
1633 - 1634                Nils Assersson Mannersköld    (b. 1586 - d. 1655)
                             (acting)
16 Oct 1634 - 9 Jun 1643 Bengt Bengtsson friherre          (b. 1591 - d. 1643)
                             Oxenstierna af Eka och Lindö
2 Aug 1643 - 11 Mar 1644 Hermann Hansson Wrangell    (b. 1587 - d. 1643)
30 May 1644 - 1644         Erik Erikson friherre Ryning      (b. 1592 - d. 1654)
Oct 1645 - 8 Sep 1647     Gabriel Bengtson friherre         (b. 1586 - d. 1656)
                             Oxenstierna
1647 - 1649    Erik Gustavsson Stenbock
11 May 1649 - 1652         Magnus Gabriel Jakobson greve (b. 1622 - d. 1686)
                             de la Gardie (1st time)
12 Oct 1652 - 21 Feb 1653 Gustaf Karlsson Horn af Kankas,   (b. 1592 - d. 1657)
                             greve Björneburg
1653 - 1655 Gustav Adolf Lewenhaupt (b. 1619 - d. 1656)
19 May 1655 - 1658         Magnus Gabriel Jakobson greve (s.a.)
                             de la Gardie (2nd time)
25 May 1658 - Jul 1661     Robert Patrickson greve Douglas   (b. 1611 - d. 1662)
1661 - 1662                Axel Gustafson greve Lillje       (b. 1603 - d. 1662)
1662 - 11 Aug 1666         Bengt Gabrielson Oxenstierna,     (b. 1623 - d. 1702)
                             greve Korsholm
Sep 1666 - 14 Jul 1671     Claes Akesson greve Tott          (b. 1616 - d. 1674)
1671 - 1674                Fabian von Fersen friherre von    (b. 1626 - d. 1677)
                             Cronendahl (acting)
1674 - 1686                Krister Claesson friherre         (b. 1622 - d. 1692)
                             Horn af Amyne
14 Jun 1686 - 24 Dec 1695 Jakob Johann Ewoldson greve       (b. 1647 - d. 1695)
                             Hastfer
1 Oct 1696 - 18 Apr 1702 Erik Jonsson greve Dahlberg       (b. 1625 - d. 1703)
18 Apr 1702 - 17 Jan 1706 Karl Gustaf Hansson friherre      (b. 1637 - d. 1714)
                             Frölich
17 Jan 1706 - Sep 1709     Adam Ludwig greve Lewenhaupt      (b. 1659 - d. 1719)
Sep 1709 - 23 Oct 1709     Henrik Otto von Albedyl (acting) (b. 1666 - d. 1738)
23 Oct 1709 - 15 Jul 1710 Niels Jonsson greve Strömberg af (b. 1646 - d. 1723)
                             Clästorp
Russian Governors
15 Jul 1710 - Mar 1711     Prince Anikita Ivanovich Repnin- (b. 1668 - d. 1726)
                             Obolenskiy (1st time)(interim)
Mar 1711 - May 1719        Prince Aleksandr Danilovich       (b. 1673 - d. 1729)
                             Menshikov (also of Estonia)
May 1719 - 14 Jul 1726     Prince Anikita Ivanovich Repnin- (s.a.)
                             Obolenskiy (2nd time)
Jul 1726 - Jan 1727        Herman Jensen de Bohn (acting)    (b. 1672 - d. 1743)
Jan 1727 - May 1729        Count Grigoriy Petrovich          (b. 1672 - d. 1745)
                             Chernoyshov
27 May 1729 - 30 Apr 1751 Count Peter von Lacy              (b. 1678 - d. 1751)
                            (from 25 Feb 1740 governor-general)
30 Apr 1751 - Jun 1753     Vladimir Chernoyshov (acting)
Jun 1753 - 1 Apr 1758     Fyodor Matveyevich Voyeikov (b. 1703 - d. 1778)    (acting)
1 Apr 1758 - 11 Jun 1761 Prince Vladimir Petrovich         (b. 1696 - d. 1761)                              Dolgoruky
1761 - 1762              Yakov Arshenevsky (acting)
Governor-general
12 Mar 1762 - 29 Sep 1792 Count George Browne               (b. 1698 - d. 1792)
                             (Georg Graf Braun)
                             (from 1775, also in Estonia)
Governors
Jul 1783 - 1783            Nikolay Naumov                (d. 1783)
19 Dec 1783 - 5 Dec 1790 Aleksandr Andreyevich Bekleshov (b. 1745 - d. 1808)
5 Dec 1790 - 17 Mar 1792 Johann von Reck
17 Mar 1792 - 28 May 1795 Peter Ludwig Freiherr von der     (b. 1745 - d. 1826)
                             Pahlen
                            (Pyotr Lyudvig Alekseyevich Graf Palen)
28 May 1795 - 24 Jan 1797 Gerhard Konrad Kasimir Freiherr   (b. 1749 - d. 1813)
                             von Meyendorff
24 Jan 1797 - Feb 1797     Balthasar Freiherr von            (b. 1745 - d. 1800)
                             Campenhausen
26 Feb 1797 - 6 Sep 1797 Ernst Burchard Graf von Mengden, (b. 1738 - d. 1797)
                             Freiherr von Altenwoga
12 Sep 1797 - 29 Aug 1808 Christoph Adam von Richter        (b. 1751 - d. 1815)
29 Aug 1808 - 13 May 1811 Ivan Nikolayevich Repyev (b. 1755 - d. 1833)
13 May 1811 - 5 Nov 1827 Joseph Du Hamel (von Dühamel)     (b. 1768 - d. 1840)27 Nov 1827 - 29 Apr 1829 Paul Baron von Hahn               (b. 1793 - d. 1862)
29 Apr 1829 - 23 May 1829 Ludwig Johann Ferdinand von    (b. 1788 - d. 1855)
                             Cube (1st time) (acting)
23 May 1829 - 25 Feb 1847 Georg Friedrich Baron von         (b. 1764 - d. 1848)
                             Fölkersahm
25 Feb 1847 - 8 Jun 1847 Ludwig Johann Ferdinand von       (s.a.)
                             Cube (2nd time) (acting)
8 Jun 1847 - 30 May 1862 Heinrich Magnus Wilhelm von       (b. 1796 - d. 1869)
                             Essen
30 May 1862 - 31 Jan 1868 August Georg Friedrich von        (b. 1823 - d. 1908)
                             Öttingen
31 Jan 1868 - 24 Nov 1871 Friedrich Woldemar von Lysander   (b. 1816 - d. 1893)
24 Nov 1871 - 10 Feb 1872 Julius Gustav von Cube            (b. 1815 - d. 1888)
                             (acting)
10 Feb 1872 - Dec 1874     Michael Baron von Wrangell        (b. 1836 - d. 1899)
Dec 1874 - 1 Dec 1882     Alexander Karl Abraham Baron
                             von Üxküll-Güldenbandt          (b. 1840 - d. 1912)
                             (acting to 18 Dec 1874)
1 Dec 1882 - 18 Jan 1883 Hermann Friedrich Johannes von    (b. 1845 - d. 1917) Tobiesen(1st time)(acting)
18 Jan 1883 - 13 May 1885 Ivan Yegorovich Shevich    (b. 1838 - d. 1912)
13 May 1885 - 21 Jun 1885 Hermann Friedrich Johannes von (s.a.)    Tobiesen (2nd time) (acting)
21 Jun 1885 - 14 Dec 1895 Mikhail Alekseyevich Zinovyev     (b. 1838 - d. 1895)
14 Dec 1895 - 7 Mar 1896 Aleksandr Nikolayevich Bulygin
                             (1st time) (acting)
7 Mar 1896 - 21 Sep 1900 Vladimir Dmitriyevich Surovtsev   (b. 1856 - d. 1900)
21 Sep 1900 - Jan 1901   Aleksandr Nikolayevich Bulygin
                             (2nd time) (acting)
Jan 1901 - 27 Jun 1905   Mikhail Alekseyevich Pashkov    (b. 1853 - d. 1908)
28 Jun 1905 - 28 Jul 1905 Pyotr Petrovich Neklyudov (acting)
28 Jul 1905 - 17 Aug 1905 Yakov Dmitriyevich Bologovskoy    (b. 1863 - d. 1913?)
                             (acting)
17 Aug 1905 - 23 Nov 1914 Nikolay Aleksandrovich Zvegintsov (b. 1848 - d. 1920)
Oct 1905 - Jan 1906        Janis Ozols                       (b. 1878 - d. 1968) LSDSP
                           + Samuil "Maksim" Klevansky                            Bund
                            (leaders of the Federated Committee
                             of Riga; in rebellion)
23 Nov 1914 - Jan 1916     Arkady Ippolitovich Kelepovsky    (b. 1870 - d. 1925)
Jan 1916 - 1 Feb 1916     Sergey Sergeyevich Podolinsky (b. 1879 - d. 1944)
                             (acting)
1 Feb 1916 - 8 Feb 1917 Nikolay Nikolayevich Lavrinovsky (b. 1875 - d. 1930)20 Feb 1917 - 18 Mar 1917 Sergey Alekseyevich Shidlovsky   (b. 1864 - d. 1922) (Schidlowski) Russian Government Commissioners 18 Mar 1917 - 3 Apr 1917 Andrey Krastkalns                 (b. 1868 - d. 1939) LTP
3 Apr 1917 - 20 Nov 1917 Andrey Priedkalns                 (b. 1873 - d. 1923) LSD-M
                             (acting to 27 May 1917)
Chairman of the Military Revolutionary Committee of the 12th Army
9 Nov 1917 - 21 Nov 1917 Juris Carins                      (b. 1887 - d. 1922) LSD-L
Commissar for the 12th Army
Nov 1917 - 22 Feb 1918     Semyon Mikhailovich Nakhimson     (b. 1885 - d. 1918) Bund
Head of the Military Administration for Riga district
3 Sep 1917 - 4 Sep 1917 Oskar von Hutier                  (b. 1857 - d. 1934)
Commander of the 8th Army
18 Feb 1918 - 8 Mar 1918 Günther graf von Kirchbach        (b. 1850 - d. 1925)
                             (in Livonia)
Jul 1918 - 31 Jul 1918     Arnold von Engelbrechten          (b. 1870 - d. 19..)
Head of the Military Administration for Livland
8 Mar 1918 - 31 Jul 1918 Albert Wilhelm Heinrich Fürst     (b. 1862 - d. 1929)
                             von Hohenzollern
Chairmen of the Executive Committee of the Soviet (Council) of Workers, Soldiers and Landless Deputies of Latvia
21 Nov 1917 - 22 Nov 1917 Otto Karklins                     (s.a.)               LSD-L
22 Nov 1917 - 22 Feb 1918 Fricis Rozins                     (b. 1870 - d. 1919) LSD-L

Landmarschälle
1710                       Georg Reinhold von Tiesenhausen   (b. 1650 - d. 1734)
                             Freiherr zu Erlaa
1710                       Johann Albrecht von Mengden       (b. 1663 - d. 1720)
                             Freiherr von Altenwoga
1710 - 1712                Magnus Gustav von Mengden         (b. 1663 - d. 1726)
                             Freiherr von Altenwoga
1712 - 1715                Magnus Johann von dem Broele,     (d. 1718)
                             gen. Plater
1715 - 1717                Berend Dietrich von Bock    (b. 1670 - d. 1737)
1717 - 1720                Otto Chistoph von Richter         (b. 1678 - d. 1729)
1720 - 1723                Woldemar Johann Freiherr von      (b. 1684 - d. 1741)
                             Ungern-Sternberg
1723 - 1727                Gotthard Wilhelm Freiherr von     (b. 1685 - d. 1749)
                             Budberg, gen. Bönninghausen
1727 - 1730                Gotthard Wilhelm von Berg         (b. 1682 - d. 1756)
1730 - 1737                Caspar Friedrich von Buddenbrock (d. 1737)
1737 - 1742                Johann Gustav Freiherr von        (b. 1693 - d. 1754)
                             Budberg, gen. Bönninghausen
1742 - 1747                Heinrich Gustav von Patkul        (b. 1698 - d. 1778)
1747 - 1759                Gustav Henrich von Igelström      (b. 1695 - d. 1771)
1759 - 1765                Leonhard Johann Freiherr von      (b. 1727 - d. 1796)
                             Budberg, gen. Bönninghausen
1765 - 1769                Adolf Heinrich von Anrep          (b. 1717 - d. 1765)
1769 - 1775                Carl Gustav von Mengden Freiherr (b. 1723 - d. 1775)
                             von Altenwoga
1775 - 1777                Caspar Heinrich von Rosenkampf   (b. 1734 - d. 1790)
1777 - 1783                Franz Wilhelm von Rennenkampf (b. 1743 - d. 1784)

¹In co-charge of the Landratskollegium, a body of 12 members, were two Residierende Landräte, rotating every month. Their monthly terms and division in 12 lines are currently unavailable.

Noble titles: Greve/Graf = Count, Friherre/Freiherr = Baron, Herzog = Duke.

Polish Livonia


26 Sep 1629 - 30 Sep 1772

Map of Polish Livonia

Capital: Dyneburg (Daugavpils)

Population: 190,000 (1782)

Constitution:
Ordinatio
(1677-1772)

26 Sep 1629                Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth retains the eastern part of the
                             Duchy of Livonia (i.e., Lettgallia), thereafter informally
                             called "Polish Livonia" (Inflanty Polskie) or "Little
                             Livonia", which is in full union with the Polish-Lithuanian
                             crown. King continues to use the style of the "Prince of
                             Livonia" (Ksiaze Inflancki).
1677                       Formally made a province (Wojewodztwo Inflancki in Polish;
                             in Lithuanian Inflantijos Vaivadija) of the Commonwealth,
                             administered as a part of Lithuania, but nominally a common
                             possession of both nations. Provincial capital in
                             Dyneburk (Daugavpils).
30 Sep 1772                Annexed by Russia in the First Partition of the Polish-
                             Lithuanian Commonwealth and made an integral part of Russia.
                             Province of Dvinsk (Dvinskaya Provintsiya) established as a
                             subdivision of the Government of Pskov. Dyneburk is renamed
                             Dvinsk.
2 Apr 1777                Province of Dvinsk becomes a part of the Government of
                             Polotsk (abolished in 1794).
23 Dec 1796                Part of the province of Belarus.
1 Mar 1802                Part of the province of Vitebsk.
Mar 1863                   Rebellion in Kreslav (Kraslava) in support of the "Second
                             insurrection" in Poland.
27 Dec 1917                Transferred by Soviet Russia to Livonia.

Governors (wojewoda) of Polish Livonia
(from 30 Sep 1772, only nominally)
Aug 1677 - 10 Jan 1695     Jan Teodor Schlieben            (b. 1638 - d. 1695)
28 Feb 1695 - 24 Feb 1696 Jan Andrzej Plater              (b. c.1626 - d. 1696)
                             (to 28 Feb 1695, palatine)
17Mar/Aug?1696-27Nov 1705 Otto Fryderyk Felkerzamb    (b. 1641 - d. 1705)
27 Nov 1705-bf.24Jan 1707 Fabian Plater                   (b. c.1628 - d. 1707)
                             (to 8 Dec 1705, palatine)
24 Jan 1707 - 1709         Stefan Karol Grothus            (b. 1662 - d. 1717)
4 Nov 1709 - Feb 1713    Józef Mikolaj Koss              (b. 1680 - d. 1717)
20 Feb 1713 - 21 Nov 1722 Piotr Jerzy Przebendowski       (b. c.1674 - d. 1755)
21 Nov 1722 - 11 Oct 1735 Antoni Andrzej Morsztyn         (b. 1677 - d. 1735)
11 Oct 1735 - 24 Nov 1736 Jan Ludwik Plater               (b. c.1686 - d. 1736)
                             (to 17 Nov 1735, palatine)
8 Jul 1737 - 25 Jun 1765 Franciszek Jakub Szembek        (b. 1690 - d. 1765)
9 Jul 1765 - 19 Oct 1767 Jan Jedrzej Józef Borch (b. 1715 - d. 1780) (Johann Andreas Joseph von                                der Borch) 3 Nov 1767 - 8 Apr 1769 Stanislaw Brzostowski           (b. 1733 - d. 1769)
20 Jun 1769 - 23 Mar 1775 Jozafat Zyberk                  (b. 1694 - d. 1776)
10 Apr 1775 - 1778         Jan Tadeusz Zyberk              (b. 1739 - d. 1806)
3 Oct1778-24Feb/1 Nov1788 Kasper Rogalinski               (b. c.1725 - d. 1788)
20 Oct 1790 - 23 Feb 1794 Adam Ewald Felkerzamb       (b. 1734 - d. 1794)
Commander in Kreslav
Mar 1863                   Count Leon Joachim Plater       (b. 1836 - d. 1863)

Russian Baltic Provinces

[Russian flag]

1775 - 20 Nov 1917

1775                       Russian governors-general of province of Livonia also permanently
                             governors-general of province of Estonia.
14 Jul 1783                Offices of governors of Livonia and Estonia established,
                             subordinated to governor-general, owing reorganization of
                             administration and incorporation of Livonia and Estonia
                             into Russia.
8 Oct 1800                Livonia, Estonia and Courland permanently under single governor-
                             general for all three provinces with residence in Riga.
30 Jun 1801                Office of single overall governor-general of Livonia, Estonia and
                             Courland formally established. All three provinces know
                             thereafter informally as the "Baltic Provinces" or "Baltic Sea
                             Provinces" (Ostseeprovinzen or [from the late 19th century]
                             Baltische Provinzen in German; Pribaltiyskiye Gubernii or
                             Ostzeyskiye Gubernii in Russian) or "Baltic Region"
                             (Pribaltiyskiy Kray).
19 Aug 1808 - 5 Apr 1819 Separate governor-general for Estonia (office sometimes vacant).
7 Feb 1876                Government-general abolished.
23 Aug 1905 - 28 Apr 1909 Government-general temporarily restored in Courland (11 Dec 1905
                             in Livonia, 25 Dec 1905 in Estonia).
2 Aug 1914 - 20 Nov 1917 Temporary overall administration of special plenipotentiaries.

Presidents of the Baltic Committee (in the Russian government)
5 Jun 1846 - 1859         Peter Graf von der Pahlen          (b. 1778 - d. 1864)
                             (Pyotr Petrovich graf Palen)
1859 - 23 Apr 1876         Moritz von Grünewaldt

Governors-general of Livonia and Estonia
14 Jul 1783 - 29 Sep 1792 Count George Browne                (b. 1698 - d. 1792)
                             (Georg Graf Braun)
29 Sep 1792 - 11 Oct 1792 Vacant
11 Oct 1792 - Oct 1798     Prince Nikolay Vasilyevich Repnin (b. 1734 - d. 1801)
Oct 1798 - 9 Nov 1798     Vacant
9 Nov 1798 - 8 Oct 1800 Ludwig von Nagell                  (d. 1807)
Governors-General of Livonia, Estonia and Courland
8 Oct 1800 - 29 Jun 1801 Peter Ludwig graf von der Pahlen   (b. 1745 - d. 1826)
                             (Pyotr-Lyudvig Alekseyevich graf Palen)
29 Jun 1801 - 21 Jul 1801 Vacant
21 Jul 1801 - 23 Sep 1803 Prince Sergey Fyodorovich Golitsyn (b. 1748 - d. 1810)
23 Sep 1803 - 6 Feb 1807 Friedrich Wilhelm graf von         (b. 1750 - d. 1811)
                             Buxhövden (1st time)
                             (Fyodor Fyodorovich Graf Buksgevden)
6 Feb 1807 - 27 Mar 1807 Vacant
27 Mar 1807 - 25 Dec 1807 Aleksandr Petrovich Tormasov       (b. 1752 - d. 1819)
                             (acting)
25 Dec 1807 - 19 Aug 1808 Friedrich Wilhelm graf von         (s.a.)
                            Buxhövden (2nd time)
Governors-General of Livonia and Courland
19 Aug 1808 - 29 Dec 1810 Friedrich Wilhelm graf von         (s.a.)
                             Buxhövden
29 Dec 1810 - 17 Jun 1812 Prince Dmitriy Ivanovich           (b. 1758 - d. 1838)
                             Lobanov-Rostovsky
17 Jun 1812 - 24 Oct 1812 Johann Magnus Gustav von Essen     (b. 1758 - d. 1813)
24 Oct 1812 - 9 Nov 1812 Vacant
9 Nov 1812 - 5 Apr 1819 Marquis Filipo Paulucci            (b. 1779 - d. 1849)
                             (Markiz Filipp Osipovich Pauluchchi)
                             (to 4 Jan 1813, governor-general of Livonia)
Governors-General of Livonia, Estonia and Courland
5 Apr 1819 - 11 Jan 1830 Marquis Filipo Paulucci            (s.a.)
12 Jan 1830 - 29 Mar 1845 Carl Magnus Baron von der          (b. 1779 - d. 1863)
                             Pahlen (Matvey Ivanovich Baron Palen)
29 Mar 1845 - 9 Apr 1845 Vacant
9 Apr 1845 - 13 Jan 1848 Count Yevgeny Aleksandrovich       (b. 1782 - d. 1858)
                             Golovin
13 Jan 1848 - 13 Nov 1861 Count Aleksander Arkadyevich       (b. 1804 - d. 1882)
                             Suvorov-Rymniksky, Prince
                             Italiysky
13 Nov 1861 - 14 Dec 1861 Vacant
14 Dec 1861 - 27 Dec 1864 Wilhelm Heinrich Baron von         (b. 1799 - d. 1880)
                             Lieven
27 Dec 1864 - 30 Apr 1866 Count Pytor Andreyevich Shuvalov   (b. 1827 - d. 1889)
30 Apr 1866 - 21 Oct 1866 Count Eduard Trofimovich Baranov   (b. 1811 - d. 1884)
21 Oct 1866 - 29 Jan 1876 Prince Pyotr Romanovich Bagration (b. 1818 - d. 1876)
Temporary Governors-General of Livonia, Estonia and Courland
23 Aug 1905 - 25 Dec 1905 Woldemar von Böckmann              (b. 1848 - d. 1923)
                            (to 11 Dec 1905 temporary governor-
                             general of Courland, then temporary
                             governor-general of Livonia and Courland)
25 Dec 1905 - 30 Oct 1906 Count Vasiliy Yustinovich Sollogub (b. 1848 - d. 1914)
30 Oct 1906 - 28 Apr 1909 Baron Aleksandr Nikolayevich       (b. 1844 - d. 1928)
                             Möller-Zakomelsky
Special Plenipotentiaries for Civil Administration of Livonia, Estonia and Courland
2 Aug 1914 - Nov 1917     Aleksandr Mikhailovich Gerasimov   (b. 1861 - d. 1931)
                            (to 7 Dec 1914 for Estonia and Livonia,
                             except district of Riga, then for Reval
                             [Tallinn], Baltischport [Paldiski]
                             and Dünamünde [Daugavgriva])
2 Aug 1914 - 7 Dec 1914 Churin
                            (for Courland and district of Riga)
7 Dec 1914 - 15 Aug 1915 Pavel Grigoryevich Komarov-Kurlov (b. 1860 - d. 1923)
15 Aug 1915 - 21 Oct 1915 .... (acting)
21 Oct 1915 - 28 Jul 1917 Radko Ruskov Dimitrov (acting)     (b. 1859 - d. 1918)
28 Jul 1917 - 20 Nov 1917 Vladimir Savelyevich Voitinsky (b. 1887 - d. 1960)
                            (commissioner for civil administration
                             of Livonia, Estonia and Courland)

German and Allied Military Administrations in Liepaja, Riga and Jelgava 1918 - 1919

Commanders of the German troops in Latvia, Estonia (to Feb 1919)
and Lithuania (from Feb 1919)
31 Jul 1918 - 14 Jan 1919 Hugo Karl Gottlieb von Kathen     (b. 1855 - d. 1932)
14 Jan 1919 - 27 Jan 1919 Ludwig von Estorff                (b. 1859 - d. 1943)
27 Jan 1919 - 3 Feb 1919 Ferdinand von Quast               (b. 1850 - d. 1939)
3 Feb 1919 - 3 Oct 1919 Rüdiger Gustav graf von der Goltz (b. 1865 - d. 1946)
3 Oct 1919 - 13 Dec 1919 Walter von Eberhardt              (b. 1855 - d. 1939)

German General Plenipotentiaries of the Reich for Baltic Lands (Latvia and Estonia)
14 Nov 1918 - Jan 1919     August Winnig                     (b. 1878 - d. 1956)
Jan 1919 - Feb 1919        Wilhelm Burchard
Head of the Allied Military Mission to the Baltic States
1919 - 1919                Sir Hubert de la Poer Gough (U.K.)(b. 1870 - d. 1963)

Commanders of the Allied Forces in the Baltic Sea
28 Nov 1918 - 6 Jan 1919 Sir Edwin Alexander-Sinclair      (b. 1865 - d. 1945)
                             of Freswick (U.K.)
6 Jan 1919 - Dec 1919     Walter Henry Cowan (U.K.)         (b. 1871 - d. 1956)

Military governors of Liepaja (Libau)
Nov 1918 - 1 Feb 1919     Johann Wilhelm Neugebauer         (b. 1854 - d. 1932)
                             (Germany)
1 Feb 1919 - 23 Jun 1919 Rüdiger graf von der Goltz        (s.a.)
                             (Germany)
23 Jun 1919 - 11 Jul 1919 Henry Rowan-Robinson (U.K.)       (b. 1873 - d. 1947)
11 Jul 1919 - Oct 1919     Latvian administration
Oct 1919 - 7 Nov 1919     Lawrence Leopold Dundas (U.K.)    (b. 1874 - d. 1939)
7 Nov 1919 - 26 Nov 1919 John Alfred Moreton (U.K.)

Military governors of Riga
3 Jan 1919 - 22 May 1919 Latvian Soviet (Communist) administration
22 May 1919 - 29 Jun 1919 Alfred Fletcher (Germany)         (b. 1875 - d. 1959)
29 Jun 1919 - 5 Jul 1919 Hans Heinrich Sixt von Arnim      (b. 1890 - d. 1952)
                             (Germany)
5 Jul 1919 - 8 Jul 1919 Stephen George Tallents (U.K.)    (b. 1884 - d. 1958)
                           + Ernest J. Dawley (U.S.)         (b. 1886 - d. 1973)

Military governors of Jelgava (Mitau)

9 Jan 1919 - 26 Mar 1919 Latvian Soviet (Communist) administration

26 Mar 1919 - 23 Jun 1919 .... (Germany)

23 Jun 1919 - 21 Sep 1919 Rüdiger graf von der Goltz (s.a.)

(Germany)

2 Sep 1919 - 2 Dec 1919 Pavel Rafaylovich Bermondt, (b. 1884 - d. 1973)

Prince Avalov

(commander Western Russian Volunteer Army)

6 Oct 1919 - 19 Nov 1919 Konstantin Johann Georg graf von (b. 1861 - d. 1923)

der Pahlen (Western Russian Volunteer Army)

(chairman military-administrative council)

18 Nov 1919 - 21 Nov 1919 Walter von Eberhardt (Germany) (s.a.)

Reichskommissariat of Ostland (Eastland)

[War Ensign 1935-1945 (Germany)]

Map of Ostland Capital: Riga Currency: German
Reichsmark
(DER) Population: 8,000,000
(1943 est.) Constitution
Ordinance
(18 Aug 1941;
in German)

17 Jul 1941                Ostland (Reichskommissariat für das Ostland) established,
                             includes German occupied Lithuania, Latvia (from 1 Sep 1941),
                             Estonia (from 5 Dec 1941) and Belarus. Ostland consists
                             of four General Distrikts (Generalbezirke) or (informally)
                             Lands, and the city of Riga (Gebiet Riga Stadt), is directly
                             administered by the Reichskommissar.
13 Oct 1944                Riga taken by Soviet troops.
2 Feb 1945                Ostland is formally dissolved.

Reichskommissare
17 Jul 1941 - 26 Sep 1944 Hinrich Lohse                     (b. 1896 - d. 1964) NSDAP
26 Sep 1944 - 13 Oct 1944 Erich Koch                        (b. 1896 - d. 1986) NSDAP
                            (nominally to 2 Feb 1945)

Head Chief of Division I Central Office
1 Sep 1942 - 1944? Wilhelm Burmeister (b. 1905 - d. 1983) NSDAP

Party abbreviation: NSDAP = Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (National Socialist German Worker's Party, Nazi German fascist, only legal party)

Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic


25 Aug 1940 - 17 Jan 1953


17 Jan 1953 - 27 Feb 1990

Capital: Riga

Hear SSR Anthem
"Latvijas Padomju
Socialistiskas Republikas
valsts himna"
(State Anthem of the
Latvian SSR)
(1945-1990)

Constitution
(18 Apr 1978)

Population: 2,529,000 (1980)

5 Aug 1940                Accession to the Soviet Union.
1 Jul 1941 - 13 Oct 1944 German occupation; occupied Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
                             and Belorussia formed the Ostland territory (s.a.).28 Jul 1989    Declaration of state sovereignty. 4 May 1990                Republic of Latvia
21 Aug 1991                Independence declared.

First secretaries of the Latvian Communist Party (LKP)
25 Aug 1940 - 25 Nov 1959 Janis Eduardovich Kalnberzins      (b. 1893 - d. 1986)
                             (in Russian SFSR exile 1941 - 1944)
25 Nov 1959 - 15 Apr 1966 Arvids Janovich Pelse              (b. 1899 - d. 1983)
15 Apr 1966 - 14 Apr 1984 Augusts Eduardovich Voss           (b. 1916 - d. 1994)
14 Apr 1984 - 4 Oct 1988 Boriss Karlovich Pugo              (b. 1937 - d. 1991)
4 Oct 1988 - 7 Apr 1990 Janis Janovich Vagris              (b. 1930)
7 Apr 1990 - 24 Aug 1991 Alfreds Petrovich Rubiks           (b. 1935)
                           ("leading role" of the Party abolished 11 Jan 1990)

Chairmen of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet
25 Aug 1940 - 11 Apr 1952 Augusts Martynovich Kirhensteins   (b. 1872 - d. 1963) LKP
                             (in Russian SFSR exile 1941 - 1944)
11 Apr 1952 - 27 Nov 1959 Karlis Martynovich Ozolins         (b. 1905 - d. 1987) LKP
27 Nov 1959 - 5 May 1970 Janis Eduardovich Kalnberzins      (s.a.)               LKP
5 May 1970 - 20 Aug 1974 Vitalijs Petrovich Rubenis         (b. 1914 - d. 1994) LKP
20 Aug 1974 - 22 Jun 1985 Peteris Jakubovich Strautmanis     (b. 1919)            LKP
22 Jun 1985 - 6 Oct 1988 Janis Janovich Vagris              (s.a.)               LKP
6 Oct 1988 - 3 May 1990 Anatolijs Valerjanovich Gorbunovs (b. 1942)           LKP;1990 LTF
Chairman of the Supreme Soviet
3 May 1990 - 6 Jul 1993 Anatolijs Valerjanovich Gorbunovs (s.a.)               LTF

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars
25 Aug 1940 - Aug 1946     Vilis Tenisovich Lacis             (b. 1904 - d. 1966) LKP
                             (1941 - 1944 in Russian SFSR exile)
Chairmen of the Council of Ministers
Aug 1946 - 27 Nov 1959     Vilis Tenisovich Lacis             (s.a.)               LKP
27 Nov 1959 - 23 Apr 1962 Janis Voldemarovich Peive          (b. 1906 - d. 1976) LKP
23 Apr 1962 - 5 May 1970 Vitalijs Petrovich Rubenis         (s.a.)               LKP
5 May 1970 - 6 Oct 1988 Jurijs Janovich Rubenis            (b. 1925 - d. 2004) LKP
6 Oct 1988 - 7 May 1990 Vilnis Edvins Gedertovich Bresis   (b. 1938)            LKP

Pro-Soviet Resistance to German Occupation 1942-1944

Note: Soviet resistance groups in Latvia, originally from 1942 under Russian and Byelorussian supervision, were united in Jan 1943 in a separate command directly subordinated to the Central Staff of the Partisan Units in Moscow.

Chief of Staff of the Partisan Units
Jan 1943 - 1944 Arturs Sprogis (b. 1904 - d. 1980) Mil/LKP